by NIyi Jacobs
The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, has criticised former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s proposal to reverse the removal of petrol subsidy, describing the move as a desperate attempt to gain political advantage ahead of the 2027 general election.
Yilwatda said restoring the subsidy would place renewed pressure on Nigeria’s finances and could undermine economic reforms being implemented by the APC-led administration.
The APC chairman spoke during a visit to the headquarters of the City Boy Movement in Abuja, where he inspected the organisation’s facilities and interacted with its leadership.
According to him, Nigerians deserve more than election-season promises, arguing that any proposal to restore petrol subsidy must be subjected to rigorous economic scrutiny.
“Economic policy cannot be reduced to election-season promises. Nigerians deserve to know precisely where the money will come from, what sectors will bear the cost and whether such a policy can be sustained without reopening the fiscal pressures that necessitated reform in the first place,” Yilwatda said.
He said the removal of petrol subsidy was a difficult but necessary decision, adding that the government’s responsibility was to introduce measures capable of cushioning its impact on citizens while strengthening productive sectors of the economy.
Yilwatda also questioned the timing of Atiku’s proposal, noting that the opposition had, according to him, failed to present a comprehensive alternative governing agenda over the past three years.
He said it was suspicious that the former vice president was now proposing a policy reversal only months before the 2027 election.
The APC chairman urged Nigerians to scrutinise the economic programmes of all presidential contenders and distinguish between policies aimed at addressing Nigeria’s structural challenges and promises designed primarily to secure electoral support.
He also defended the economic policies of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, saying the administration had taken difficult decisions aimed at repositioning the economy, attracting investment, boosting domestic production and reducing dependence on unsustainable government interventions.
Yilwatda warned that reversing the reforms without a credible alternative could undermine investor confidence and worsen the country’s fiscal position.
He further criticised what he described as ideological and organisational inconsistency within the opposition, arguing that politicians who frequently move between political platforms may struggle to provide the stability required to govern the country.
According to him, President Tinubu has maintained a consistent commitment to the progressive political tradition, while Vice President Kashim Shettima has also maintained a stable political trajectory.
Yilwatda also urged Nigerians to examine the records of presidential aspirants, including the political and economic controversies surrounding Atiku and former President Olusegun Obasanjo, particularly allegations relating to the privatisation programme undertaken during the Obasanjo administration.
He said issues of accountability and economic governance should not be ignored in the build-up to the 2027 election.
“The 2027 election must be a contest between competing visions for Nigeria’s future, not a referendum on who can make the most attractive promises at the last minute,” he said.
Yilwatda, however, said the APC remained open to constructive criticism and credible alternatives, while insisting that the party would continue to defend policies aimed at building a more productive, investment-friendly and economically sustainable Nigeria.
